Henry John Holyoak
submitted by: Korbin Dalton
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My great great grandpa was born in Iron County on October 29, 1870, he was the third child. He was just 9 years old when his family started their move to San Juan on September 1879. That is the same age I am now. They were working on the road as they went. "While crossing the mountains, I frosted my feet," said Henry John. He was in charge of the herd of cattle that they took with them. I can't imagine being in charge of so many large animals. They went down to a place called potato valley, through hole in the rock, and they crossed the Colorado river on January 7. While crossing they had to cut out ice chunks. Henry was with 2 oxen, one mean one was chained up. When crossing the river the mean oxen broke his chain, and dived for Henry. Henry had to drop flat on the boat and the oxen went right over the top of him into the water. When out of the river the road was very steep, a wagon was turned over because of the steepness. They had to take the turned over wagon up the hill in pieces. Two men went back for supplies, and took six of the horses. When they came back they had cheese. Later they called the place cheese rock, because of the cheese they ate there. One other team brought other supplies. When they got to Bluff they made a little farm in a ditch they stayed there till spring then moved to a place they called Peak. They used a water wheel to get water for their crops. It worked great until the rain came and the water wheels washed away.
Henry had his own horse, but one day it went missing. Later he saw some Indians tie his horse up, when they left he went and got it and rode it home. Henry's mom was feeding the Indians, and they saw him on the horse and they got mad, one of the women even came up and pulled his hair and slapped him. They came back later and were ready to fight when his father had to come out and pay for the horse. Henry saw lots of scary interactions with the Indians. Luckily his family fed the Indians and had good relations with them so they were able to help them get along with other people too. They only stayed in Bluff for a few years, then they moved on to settle Moab Utah. Henry John Holyoak lived to be ninety years old. He died December 24, 1960 in Moab Utah. He was the father of 10 children and 40 grandchildren.
I think that Henry's life sounds fun and full of adventures. I think he was brave and courageous. His family was generous to those around them. I want to have fun adventures and be like him.